Final NFL Power Rankings

I went 10-6 in the final week, which was good for 95 points and helped me finish in a tie for second place in the final standings with a total of 1445. Overall, here's how my numbers matched up with the experts at Yahoo! and ESPN (NOTE: Yahoo! did not count the Cincinnati-Philadelphia tie against their experts, which is why the total games for their three guys is different ... basically, you should add another loss on for them):

Merril Hoge, ESPN: 171-85
Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 169-87
Michael Silver, Yahoo!: 165-90
David Fleming, ESPN: 165-91
YOURS TRULY: 164-92
Eric Allen, ESPN: 163-93
Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 162-94
Charles Robinson, Yahoo!: 161-94
Jason Cole, Yahoo!: 158-97
Mike Golic, ESPN: 155-100 (?)
Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 155-101

So, my first year of keeping track of this stuff, it was a pretty delightful little experience. Don't ask me how I ended up picking Detroit to win FIVE times this season, but overall, I'm fairly satisfied with how things went.

Oh, sure; I will re-examine how I did this all season and tinker with a few things to make things easier for me and more enjoyable or insightful for you. Until then, it was a fun season and I'll continue on with playoff picks in the coming weeks. For now, here's the final numbers for the year and I'm thrilled that only one team ended up costing me more points than they earned me. I've limited myself to a single-word description of the team that I feel captures how they performed this season:

1. (1) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: Lost to Green Bay, 31-21 (-1)
• Actual Record: 0-16
• My predicted record: 5-11
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 164
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 13
• Plus/Minus: +151
  
• One word:

Wretched (2)

2. (2) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Lost to Atlanta, 31-27 (+16)
  
• Actual Record: 2-14
• My predicted record: 0-16
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 165
• Points taken from me with wins: 22
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +143
  
• One word:

Unpalatable (1)

3. (4) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: Beat Tennessee, 23-0 (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 12-4
• My predicted record: 14-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 115
• Points scored for me with losses: 3
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 6
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 12
• Plus/Minus: +100
  
• One word:

Steadfast (1)

4. (7) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Beat Jacksonville, 27-7 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 11-5
• My predicted record: 9-7
• Points scored for me with wins: 79
• Points scored for me with losses: 30
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 16
• Points taken from me with losses: 4
• Plus/Minus: +89
  
• One word:

Staggering

4. (3) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Lost to Minnesota, 20-19 (-13)
  
• Actual Record: 12-4
• My predicted record: 14-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 139
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 5
• Points taken from me with losses: 45
  
• Plus/Minus: +89
  
• One word:

Vindicated (3b)

6. (7) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: Beat Seattle, 34-21 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 9-7
• My predicted record: 7-9
• Points scored for me with wins: 60
• Points scored for me with losses: 49
• Points taken from me with wins: 18
• Points taken from me with losses: 3
• Plus/Minus: +88
  
• One word:

Faint (3)

7. (10) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Beat Cleveland, 31-0 (+15)
  
• Actual Record: 12-4
• My predicted record: 14-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 94
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 8
• Points taken from me with losses: 14
• Plus/Minus: +72
  
• One word:

Formidable (2)

7. (5) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: Beat Washington, 27-24 (-5)
  
• Actual Record: 7-9
• My predicted record: 4-12
• Points scored for me with wins: 33
• Points scored for me with losses: 80
• Points taken from me with wins: 31
• Points taken from me with losses: 10
• Plus/Minus: +72
  
• One word:

Auspicious

9. (9) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: Lost to Cincinnati, 16-6 (+4)
• Actual Record: 2-14
• My predicted record: 3-13
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 103
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 17
• Points taken from me with losses: 15
• Plus/Minus: +71
  
• One word:

Melancholy (2)

10. (10) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Lost to Arizona, 34-21 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 4-12
• My predicted record: 5-11
• Points scored for me with wins: 17
• Points scored for me with losses: 88
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 24
• Points taken from me with losses: 13
• Plus/Minus: +68
  
• One word:

Inconsequential (2)

11. (12) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: Beat New Orleans, 33-31 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 12-4
• My predicted record: 12-4
• Points scored for me with wins: 90
• Points scored for me with losses: 4
• Points taken from me with wins: 11
• Points taken from me with losses: 19
• Plus/Minus: +64
  
• One word:

Cogent (1)

12. (14) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: Beat New York Jets, 24-17 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 11-5
• My predicted record: 9-7
• Points scored for me with wins: 73
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 27
• Points taken from me with wins: 32
• Points taken from me with losses: 8
• Plus/Minus: +60
• One word:

Galvanizing (1b)

13. (16) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Beat Buffalo, 13-0 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 11-5
• My predicted record: 12-4
• Points scored for me with wins: 76
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 11
• Points taken from me with wins: 7
• Points taken from me with losses: 22
  
• Plus/Minus: +58
• One word:

Despondent

14. (18) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Lost to Pittsburgh, 31-0 (+15)
  
• Actual Record: 4-12
• My predicted record: 4-12
• Points scored for me with wins: 3
• Points scored for me with losses: 91
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 21
• Points taken from me with losses: 16
• Plus/Minus: +57
  
• One word:

Deficient

15. (8) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: Beat New York Giants, 20-19 (-13)
  
• Actual Record: 10-6
• My predicted record: 7-9
• Points scored for me with wins: 48
• Points scored for me with losses: 36
• Points taken from me with wins: 29
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +55
  
• One word:

Galling

16. (16) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Beat Kansas City, 16-6 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 4-11-1
• My predicted record: 4-12
• Points scored for me with wins: 5
• Points scored for me with losses: 106
• Points taken from me with wins/ties: 38
• Points taken from me with losses: 20
  
• Plus/Minus: +53
• One word:

Beguiling (3)

17. (14) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: Beat Chicago, 31-24 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 8-8
• My predicted record: 7-9
• Points scored for me with wins: 33
• Points scored for me with losses: 48
• Points taken from me with wins: 21
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 15
• Plus/Minus: +45
• One word:

Wonted

18. (23) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: Lost to Carolina, 33-31 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 8-8
• My predicted record: 6-10
• Points scored for me with wins: 35
• Points scored for me with losses: 34
• Points taken from me with wins: 10
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 17
• Plus/Minus: +42
• One word:

Meager (2)

18. (12) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: Lost to Oakland, 31-24 (-12)
  
• Actual Record: 9-7
• My predicted record: 11-5
• Points scored for me with wins: 61
• Points scored for me with losses: 23
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 9
• Points taken from me with losses: 33
• Plus/Minus: +42
  
• One word:

Catastrophe

20. (20) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: Beat Denver, 52-21 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 8-8
• My predicted record: 8-8
• Points scored for me with wins: 36
• Points scored for me with losses: 26
• Points taken from me with wins: 12
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 14
  
• Plus/Minus: +36
  
• One word:

Fortunate (2)

20. (24) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Lost to Indianapolis, 23-0 (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 13-3
• My predicted record: 8-8
• Points scored for me with wins: 71
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 6
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 23
• Points taken from me with losses: 18
• Plus/Minus: +36
• One word:

Solid (2)

22. (21) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: Lost to Philadelphia, 44-6 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 9-7
• My predicted record: 10-6
• Points scored for me with wins: 56
• Points scored for me with losses: 27
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 20
• Points taken from me with losses: 33
• Plus/Minus: +30
  
• One word:

Chagrin

22. (18) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: Beat Tampa Bay, 31-24 (-12)
  
• Actual Record: 5-11
• My predicted record: 1-15
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 96
• Points taken from me with wins: 62
• Points taken from me with losses: 4
• Plus/Minus: +30
  
• One word:

Offal

22. (21) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: Beat Dallas, 44-6 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 9-6-1
  
• My predicted record: 7-9
• Points scored for me with wins: 49
• Points scored for me with losses: 28
• Points taken from me with wins: 21
• Points taken from me with losses/ties: 26
  
• Plus/Minus: +30
• One word:

Discordant

25. (24) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Lost to Houston, 31-24 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 9-7
• My predicted record: 13-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 49
• Points scored for me with losses: 12
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 1
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 37
• Plus/Minus: +23
• One word:

Marginal (4a)

26. (26) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: Beat Detroit, 31-21 (-1)
• Actual Record: 6-10
• My predicted record: 8-8
• Points scored for me with wins: 15
• Points scored for me with losses: 35
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 14
• Points taken from me with losses: 16
• Plus/Minus: +20
  
• One word:

Destitute (1)

26. (28) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Lost to Baltimore, 27-7 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 5-11
• My predicted record: 5-11
• Points scored for me with wins: 3
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 55
• Points taken from me with wins: 17
• Points taken from me with losses: 21
• Plus/Minus: +20
  
• One word:

Nettling (2)

28. (29) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: Lost to Miami, 24-17 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 9-7
• My predicted record: 10-6
• Points scored for me with wins: 61
• Points scored for me with losses: 13
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 17
• Points taken from me with losses: 46
• Plus/Minus: +11
  
• One word:

Snarled (2)

29. (31) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: Beat St. Louis, 31-27 (+16)
  
• Actual Record: 11-5
• My predicted record: 8-8
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 43
• Points scored for me with losses: 19
• Points taken from me with wins: 37
• Points taken from me with losses: 16
• Plus/Minus: +9
  
• One word:

Enchanting

30. (27) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Lost to San Francisco, 27-24 (-5)
  
• Actual Record: 8-8
• My predicted record: 9-7
• Points scored for me with wins: 37
• Points scored for me with losses: 41
• Points taken from me with wins: 31
• Points taken from me with losses: 39
  
• Plus/Minus: +8
  
• One word:

Incongruous

31. (30) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Lost to New England, 13-0 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 7-9
• My predicted record: 7-9
• Points scored for me with wins: 28
• Points scored for me with losses: 25
• Points taken from me with wins: 21
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 29
  
• Plus/Minus: +3
  
• One word:

Hapless

32. (32) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Lost to San Diego, 52-21 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 8-8
• My predicted record: 12-4
• Points scored for me with wins: 35
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 11
• Points taken from me with wins: 19
• Points taken from me with losses: 43
• Plus/Minus: -16
  
• One word:

Crap

How each game broke down for me by their point value:

16-point games: 9-0
15-point games: 7-3
14-point games: 13-3
13-point games: 12-5
12-point games: 12-5
11-point games: 13-4
10-point games: 13-4
9-point games: 11-6
8-point games: 10-7
7-point games: 11-6
6-point games: 10-7
5-point games: 6-11
4-point games: 10-7
3-point games: 9-8
2-point games: 10-7
1-point games: 8-9

And how the finish would have gone had they done what I said:

AFC
East
New England Patriots 12-4 (11-5)
New York Jets 10-6 (9-7)
Miami Dolphins 9-7 (11-5)
Buffalo Bills 7-9 (7-9)

North
Pittsburgh Steelers 14-2 (12-4)
Baltimore Ravens 9-7 (11-5)
Cleveland Browns 4-12 (4-12)
Cincinatti Bengals 4-12 (4-11-1)

South
Indianapolis Colts 14-2 (12-4)
Tennessee Titans 8-8 (13-3)
Houston Texans 7-9 (8-8)
Jacksonville Jaguars 5-11 (5-11)

West
Denver Broncos 12-4 (8-8)
San Diego Chargers 8-8 (8-8)
Kansas City Chiefs 3-13 (2-14)
Oakland Raiders 1-15 (5-11)

NFC
East
New York Giants 14-2 (12-4)
Dallas Cowboys 10-6 (9-7)
Washington Redskins 9-7 (8-8)
Philadelphia Eagles 7-9 (9-6-1)

North
Chicago Bears 13-3 (9-7)
Green Bay Packers 8-8 (6-10)
Minnesota Vikings 7-9 (10-6)
Detroit Lions 5-11 (0-16)

South
Carolina Panthers 12-4 (12-4)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11-5 (9-7)
Atlanta Falcons 8-8 (11-5)
New Orleans Saints 6-10 (8-8)

West
Arizona Cardinals 7-9 (9-7)
Seattle Seahawks 5-11 (4-12)
San Francisco 49ers 4-12 (7-9)
St. Louis Rams 0-16 (2-14)

The Year in Review (or Why I didn't do one)

Started bad ...



... but ended well (so to speak).

Week 17 Picks

I'm really rather speechless that this is the final week of what has been a pretty enjoyable season. As I said earlier, there's eight points separating me, in second place, from the fellow in fourth. I'm trying to be optimistic that at least I'm not playing catch-up in the final week, but a lead that small can certainly be made up in a single weekend. That would figure to by my luck, so I had to crunch my numbers first before I did anything this weekend.

I went back and looked at last week's numbers and realized that had I gone with the numbers as they originally said to go, I would have earned 80 points as opposed to the 69 I got instead.

So, when only one game came up with a different winner than I would have predicted, I changed that game and that game only and moved it to the bottom of my sheet. The rest I left as is, although I'm already groaning about how confident I really feel about some of what's about to follow.

But then I remembered that the one week I ended up in first place was the week I didn't make any changes. And I'm pinning my final hopes on my little formula that got me back into this race and hopefully makes enough impact this week to push me into first (which isn't real likely):

16 points
Atlanta Falcons (10-5) over St. Louis Rams (2-13)
+11/-18 : +138/156/-18 : 0/+127

Congratulations to the fine team in St. Louis for going the entire season without compelling me to pick them even one time this year. Well done.

15 points
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) over Cleveland Browns (4-11)
+65/-8 : +120/141/-21 : -13/+55

I won't be surprised at all if Cleveland ends up giving Pittsburgh a scare, but the Steelers really need to get one more "W" after last week's loss to the now top-seeded Titans.

14 points
Baltimore Ravens (10-5) over Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10)
+61/+14 : +85/89/-4 : -18/+24

Third straight home team, which inspires a considerable bit more ease than last week, when I had six road teams highest on my list.

13 points
New York Giants (12-3) over Minnesota Vikings (9-6)
+107/-5 : +127/84/+43 : +48/+20

I've been saying this for a couple weeks now and while it initially seems like a game ripe for low bets across the board, I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is—metaphorically speaking, of course.

12 points
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6) over Oakland Raiders (4-11)
+40/+14 : +86/76/+10 : -4/+46

Last week had to be a fluke. And there's no way John Gruden misses the playoffs because of a loss to his former employer. Not in Tampa, at least.

11 points
Arizona Cardinals (8-7) over Seattle Seahawks (4-11)
+46/+31 : +99/64/+35 : +4/+46

Yes, I realize I've been a huge critic of Arizona for most of the year, so having them so high in the final week against the division rival that just knocked off the Jets is a bit discomforting. But the Cardinals have just gotten their asses kicked for two straight weeks and absolutely must have this game if they're going to have even a prayer of competing once the playoffs begin.

10 points
Carolina Panthers (11-4) over New Orleans Saints (8-7)
+61/-7 : +75/64/+11 : +18/+14

If the Panthers had the division sewn up like I had thought they did, I might have placed this lower or even gone the other way. But the game's huge for Carolina because a loss here very well equates to another win they'll need to get without the week off they'd been expecting.

9 points
New England Patriots (10-5) over Buffalo Bills (7-8)
+45/+4 : +40/37/+3 : -1/-5

Bills are always a nuisance at home, but the Pats know they've still realistically got a very good shot at winning the division. However ...

8 points
Miami Dolphins (10-5) over New York Jets (9-6)
+57/-5 : +45/35/+10 : +15/-12

... I've been saying the Dolphins would come in and steal this game for a few weeks now.

I'm not changing my mind. Hell, the numbers support it.

7 points
Chicago Bears (8-6) over Green Bay Packers (5-9)
+19/+11 : +53/24/+29 : +18/+34

Second straight week in the seven spot for the Bears, who delivered last week—although hardly in a comforting fashion.

6 points
Indianapolis Colts (11-4) over Tennessee Titans (13-2)
+97/-3 : +74/24/+50 : +53/-23

The Colts seem to have gotten acquainted in their new home after they dropped the first two opening the new stadium. Since then, they're 5-0 at home and they've won eight in a row overall. A win this week against top-seeded Tennessee and they'll be among the favorites to win it all.

5 points
Washington Redskins (8-7) over San Francisco 49ers (6-9)
+3/+10 : +57/24/+33 : +23/+54

Ugh ... two teams with nothing to really play for. Redskins have a way of winning games they had no business showing up for.

4 points
Cincinnati Bengals (3-11-1) over Kansas City Chiefs (2-13)
-19/+68 : +63/10/+53 : -15/+82

And what are you foreseeing as the paid attendance for this imminent classic?

Two thousand?

Two hundred?

Two?

3 points
Dallas Cowboys (9-6) over Philadelphia Eagles (8-6-1)
+26/+7 : +36/6/+30 : +23/+10

And you have to believe the NFL was also counting on Dallas to go far in the playoffs this season. I still see them getting in, one way or another.

2 points
San Diego Chargers (7-8) over Denver Broncos (8-7)
+20/+14 : +10/4/+6 : -8/-10

It's just too appropriate.

1 point
Detroit Lions (0-15) over Green Bay Packers (5-10)
-12/+164 : +10/153/+163 : -1/+22

Play it one last time, MoTown.

Week 16 Power Rankings

It could be worse, I suppose. I had a pretty awful week last week, going 7-9 with 69 points. However, nobody really had a particularly good week, so I finished in 9th place (out of 23) and managed to hang on to second place for the season with 1350 points. That's only seven ahead of third place and eight ahead of fourth.

On the year, my numbers went down to 154-86 (.642), which keeps me ahead of the curve at Yahoo! but still somewhere in the middle at ESPN. With just one week left, we find a number of ties in the Power Rankings. I'm still debating whether to go by the numbers or not next week, but until I make that determination (most likely on a game-by-game basis), here's how the teams have treated me so far this season and some last words on what I'm thinking of them as we head into the finale:

1. (1) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: Lost to New Orleans, 42-7 (-1)
• Actual Record: 0-15
• My predicted record: 4-11
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 164
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 12
• Plus/Minus: +152
  
• Any last words?:

The city of Detroit must love the ways their professional sports franchises attract national attention. Just think, five years ago, the Tigers barely avoided becoming Major League Baseball's all-time worst team.

Can the Lions avoid becoming the first 0-16 team in NFL history?

2. (2) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Lost to San Francisco, 17-16 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 2-13
• My predicted record: 0-15
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 149
• Points taken from me with wins: 22
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +127
  
• Any last words?:

See, now here's the group that will end up 0-16 when I post my "Had They Done What I Said Final Standings" next week.

3. (3) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Beat Carolina, 34-28 (-2)
  
• Actual Record: 12-3
• My predicted record: 13-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 139
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 5
• Points taken from me with losses: 32
  
• Plus/Minus: +102
  
• Any last words?:

How seriously will they take the Vikings? Well, Tom Coughlin had a playoff berth sewn up last year when the Giants went into the regular season finale and gave all they had to try and knock off the Patriots. I trust you remember how that ended, but here's what the coach is saying about this year's finale:

"If you believe as we do that you have to be playing your best football at this time of year, we certainly do have some things to build on, in particular when you are not going to be playing for a couple of weeks. I am taking that all into consideration."

4. (4) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: Beat Jacksonville, 31-21 (+15)
  
• Actual Record: 11-4
• My predicted record: 13-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 109
• Points scored for me with losses: 3
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 6
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 12
• Plus/Minus: +94
  
• Any last words?:

That's 46 points over the past three weeks, only two points shy of the possible maximum.

5. (7) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: Lost to New England, 47-7 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 8-7
• My predicted record: 6-9
• Points scored for me with wins: 49
• Points scored for me with losses: 49
• Points taken from me with wins: 18
• Points taken from me with losses: 3
• Plus/Minus: +77
  
• Any last words?:

Is any team really worried about running into these guys in the playoffs?

5. (10) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: Beat St. Louis, 17-16 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 6-9
• My predicted record: 4-11
• Points scored for me with wins: 33
• Points scored for me with losses: 80
• Points taken from me with wins: 26
• Points taken from me with losses: 10
• Plus/Minus: +77
  
• Any last words?:

I don't know if my confidence that they would come back from a 16-3 deficit was a credit more to the Niners being underrated or the Rams just being bad.

7. (6) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Beat Dallas, 33-24 (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 10-5
• My predicted record: 8-7
• Points scored for me with wins: 65
• Points scored for me with losses: 30
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 16
• Points taken from me with losses: 4
• Plus/Minus: +75
  
• Any last words?:

There would be no worse feeling than letting a playoff berth slip through their fingers by losing to the Jags in Baltimore.

Highly unlikely that Ray Lewis allows that to happen.

8. (8) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: Lost to Atlanta, 24-17 (+3)
  
• Actual Record: 9-6
• My predicted record: 7-8
• Points scored for me with wins: 48
• Points scored for me with losses: 36
• Points taken from me with wins: 16
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +68
  
• Any last words?:

When I mentioned the Vikes' history of "flopping spectacularly" last week, I had to pat myself on the back while watching them fumble away a chance to sew up the division on Sunday.

9. (16) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: Lost to Miami, 38-31 (+16)
• Actual Record: 2-13
• My predicted record: 3-12
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 99
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 17
• Points taken from me with losses: 15
• Plus/Minus: +67
  
• Any last words?:

How many "near wins" does this team have? I'm not sure anybody made me sweat big bets more this year.

10. (12) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Lost to Tennessee, 31-14 (-4)
  
• Actual Record: 11-4
• My predicted record: 13-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 79
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 8
• Points taken from me with losses: 14
• Plus/Minus: +57
  
• Any last words?:

So, just how costly was the loss to Tennessee? That's still to be determined, but with the Colts being the No. 5 seed, you'd have to think the Steelers would actually prefer getting the AFC East winner (the No. 3 seed) in their first game instead of Indy.

10. (5) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Beat New York Jets, 13-3 (-14)
  
• Actual Record: 4-11
• My predicted record: 5-10
• Points scored for me with wins: 17
• Points scored for me with losses: 77
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 24
• Points taken from me with losses: 13
• Plus/Minus: +57
  
• Any last words?:

It's not unlikely that they end up getting another win for Holmgren to end the season, but it's still meaningless.

12. (14) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: Lost to New York Giants, 34-28 (-2)
  
• Actual Record: 11-4
• My predicted record: 11-4
• Points scored for me with wins: 80
• Points scored for me with losses: 4
• Points taken from me with wins: 11
• Points taken from me with losses: 19
• Plus/Minus: +54
  
• Any last words?:

I thought they had the division sewn up already, so it's a bit of a surprise to see that there's still something on the line for them in their finale.

12. (10) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: Lost to San Diego, 41-24 (-10)
  
• Actual Record: 9-6
• My predicted record: 10-5
• Points scored for me with wins: 61
• Points scored for me with losses: 23
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 9
• Points taken from me with losses: 21
• Plus/Minus: +54
  
• Any last words?:

A devastating loss to a very beatable team. Although they find themselves with an even bigger gimme in getting Oakland at home to end the year, the Bucs also have to hope Dallas flops in Philly.

Good luck with that.

14. (8) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: Lost to Oakland, 27-16 (-13)
  
• Actual Record: 7-8
• My predicted record: 7-8
• Points scored for me with wins: 33
• Points scored for me with losses: 48
• Points taken from me with wins: 14
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 15
• Plus/Minus: +52
• Any last words?:

Oh my. They had been treating me so well most of the season, and now they've turned into the totally forgettable football team I had always treated them as anyway.

14. (21) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: Beat Kansas City, 38-31 (+16)
  
• Actual Record: 10-5
• My predicted record: 8-7
• Points scored for me with wins: 65
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 27
• Points taken from me with wins: 32
• Points taken from me with losses: 8
• Plus/Minus: +52
• Any last words?:

A real scare last week and the Jets' stunning loss to Seattle takes a bit away from the showdown this week. Still, I had no idea that Miami owned the tie-breaker for the division, so the "win and get in" scenario offers a bit more confidence to me saying (like I've been saying) that the Fins will get into the playoffs.

16. (13) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Beat Cleveland, 14-0 (-8)
  
• Actual Record: 3-11-1
• My predicted record: 3-12
• Points scored for me with wins: 1
• Points scored for me with losses: 106
• Points taken from me with wins/ties: 38
• Points taken from me with losses: 20
  
• Plus/Minus: +49
• Any last words?:

Ohio's better team ... I guess.

16. (20) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Beat Arizona, 47-7 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 10-5
• My predicted record: 11-4
• Points scored for me with wins: 67
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 11
• Points taken from me with wins: 7
• Points taken from me with losses: 22
  
• Plus/Minus: +49
• Any last words?:

Could we really be in store for a year in which the Patriots are not in the playoffs?

These guys were my Super Bowl picks!

18. (17) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Lost to Cincinnati, 14-0 (-8)
  
• Actual Record: 4-11
• My predicted record: 4-11
• Points scored for me with wins: 3
• Points scored for me with losses: 76
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 21
• Points taken from me with losses: 16
• Plus/Minus: +42
  
• Any last words?:

Too bad about letting cross-state rivals Cincy beat them in their home finale, seeing as they have to finish the year in Pittsburgh.

18. (15) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: Beat Houston, 27-16 (-12)
  
• Actual Record: 4-11
• My predicted record: 1-14
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 96
• Points taken from me with wins: 50
• Points taken from me with losses: 4
• Plus/Minus: +42
  
• Any last words?:

Hey, Tom Cable's up to three wins in Oakland! Kinda' makes you wonder what crazy reason Al Davis will come up with when he fires him.

Of course, I'm kidding. Cable can't be let go because nobody else wants that job.

20. (18) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: Beat Tampa Bay, 41-24 (-10)
  
• Actual Record: 7-8
• My predicted record: 7-8
• Points scored for me with wins: 34
• Points scored for me with losses: 26
• Points taken from me with wins: 12
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 14
  
• Plus/Minus: +34
  
• Any last words?:

Remember that call Ed Hochuli blew three months ago? Well, this Sunday is going to make all that a moot point.

21. (24) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: Lost to Baltimore, 33-24 (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 9-6
• My predicted record: 9-6
• Points scored for me with wins: 56
• Points scored for me with losses: 27
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 20
• Points taken from me with losses: 30
• Plus/Minus: +33
  
• Any last words?:

You'd really hate to see them get into the playoffs after being such a disappointment this year, but it sure looks like they'll find a way to sneak in.

21. (18) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: Lost to Washington, 10-3 (-11)
  
• Actual Record: 8-6-1
  
• My predicted record: 7-8
• Points scored for me with wins: 49
• Points scored for me with losses: 28
• Points taken from me with wins: 18
• Points taken from me with losses/ties: 26
  
• Plus/Minus: +33
• Any last words?:

Yet another team I can't believe is still in the playoff race, although they need the most help of any team I can think of.

23. (23) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: Beat Detroit, 42-7 (-1)
  
• Actual Record: 8-7
• My predicted record: 6-9
• Points scored for me with wins: 35
• Points scored for me with losses: 24
• Points taken from me with wins: 10
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 17
• Plus/Minus: +32
• Any last words?:

I'm guessing Marino's record for most passing yards in a season remains in his possession, although credit Brees with making a valiant effort.

24. (26) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Beat Green Bay, 20-17 (+7)
  
• Actual Record: 9-6
• My predicted record: 12-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 49
• Points scored for me with losses: 12
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 1
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 30
• Plus/Minus: +30
• Any last words?:

Regardless of how they finish the year, the season has to be considered a success. This was a team most of us had expected very little from this year and yet here they are, still looking at a shot at the division.

24. (22) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Beat Pittsburgh, 31-14 (-4)
  
• Actual Record: 13-2
• My predicted record: 8-7
• Points scored for me with wins: 71
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 23
• Points taken from me with losses: 18
• Plus/Minus: +30
• Any last words?:

As I mentioned about Pittsburgh, they still have to be hoping that the stars align such that the Steelers end up getting the Colts before they do.

26. (28) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: Lost to Chicago, 20-17 (+7)
• Actual Record: 5-10
• My predicted record: 8-7
• Points scored for me with wins: 15
• Points scored for me with losses: 35
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 13
• Points taken from me with losses: 16
• Plus/Minus: +21
  
• Any last words?:

One play away from the Super Bowl last year and now ...

27. (25) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Beat Philadelphia, 10-3 (-11)
  
• Actual Record: 8-7
• My predicted record: 8-7
• Points scored for me with wins: 37
• Points scored for me with losses: 41
• Points taken from me with wins: 31
• Points taken from me with losses: 34
  
• Plus/Minus: +13
  
• Any last words?:

I think they're even lower on B. Doggy's Power Rankings, but they've been a frustrating portrait of inconsistency by whomever's numbers you opt to use.

28. (30) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Lost to Indianapolis, 31-24 (+15)
  
• Actual Record: 5-10
• My predicted record: 5-10
• Points scored for me with wins: 3
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 41
• Points taken from me with wins: 17
• Points taken from me with losses: 21
• Plus/Minus: +6
  
• Any last words?:

That's the biggest helmet they've had all year, so they accomplished something (I guess).

29. (27) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: Lost to Seattle, 13-3 (-14)
  
• Actual Record: 9-6
• My predicted record: 10-5
• Points scored for me with wins: 61
• Points scored for me with losses: 5
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 17
• Points taken from me with losses: 46
• Plus/Minus: +3
  
• Any last words?:

I'm sleeping a little bit easier knowing they'll need a lot of help to make the playoffs.

30. (29) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Beat Denver, 30-23 (-5)
  
• Actual Record: 7-8
• My predicted record: 7-8
• Points scored for me with wins: 28
• Points scored for me with losses: 16
• Points taken from me with wins: 21
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 29
  
• Plus/Minus: -6
  
• Any last words?:

Dick Jauron could perhaps salvage his job with a victory over the Patriots on Sunday, but he's on pretty thin ice.

31. (30) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: Beat Minnesota, 24-17 (+3)
  
• Actual Record: 10-5
• My predicted record: 7-8
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 27
• Points scored for me with losses: 19
• Points taken from me with wins: 37
• Points taken from me with losses: 16
• Plus/Minus: -7
  
• Any last words?:

Not only playoff-bound, but there's even hope for a first-round bye.

32. (32) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Lost to Buffalo, 30-23 (-5)
  
• Actual Record: 8-7
• My predicted record: 12-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 35
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 9
• Points taken from me with wins: 19
• Points taken from me with losses: 43
• Plus/Minus: -18
  
• Any last words?:

Way to go, Denver! Only the Broncos could have a three game lead with three games remaining and somehow let it all come down to the finale.

They deserve to lose it in San Diego.

And now, the tentative playoff team predictions (which are almost certain to change because I haven't actually made my picks for Week 17 yet):

AFC
#1 (2) Tennessee Titans
#2 (1) Pittsburgh Steelers
#3 (6) Miami Dolphins
#4 (—) San Diego Chargers
#5 (5) Indianapolis Colts
#6 (—) Baltimore Ravens

NFC
#1 (1) New York Giants
#2 (2) Carolina Panthers
#3 (4) Chicago Bears
#4 (3) Arizona Cardinals
#5 (6) Atlanta Falcons
#6 (—) Dallas Cowboys

16-point games: 8-0
15-point games: 6-3
14-point games: 12-3
13-point games: 12-4
12-point games: 12-4
11-point games: 12-4
10-point games: 12-4
9-point games: 10-6
8-point games: 9-7
7-point games: 11-5
6-point games: 9-7
5-point games: 6-10
4-point games: 9-7
3-point games: 9-7
2-point games: 9-7
1-point games: 8-8